Newtown struggles during holiday season

By JOSHUA TRUJILLO

on December 24, 2012 5:09 AM

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

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Twenty-six Christmas stockings hang on the fence at the Sandy Hook Cemetery across from the entrance to the Sandy Hook School where a week earlier the school was the scene of a shooting that killed 20 students and six staff members. less

Twenty-six Christmas stockings hang on the fence at the Sandy Hook Cemetery across from the entrance to the Sandy Hook School where a week earlier the school was the scene of a shooting that killed 20 students ... more

A memorial is shown on Highway 34 in Sandy Hook. Photo-3937825.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Mourners watch and stand at attention as a hearse from another funeral drives past the funeral for six year-old Benjamin Andrew Wheeler at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

Mourners watch and stand at attention as a hearse from another funeral drives past the funeral for six year-old Benjamin Andrew Wheeler at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Mourners watch and stand at attention as a hearse from another... Photo-3937834.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Cars stop on Main Street in Newtown during a nationwide moment of silence. A bell tolled 26 times in front of Edmond Town Hall. The moment of silence and bell tolling was held across the state on Friday, December 21, 2012, the one week anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings. less

Cars stop on Main Street in Newtown during a nationwide moment of silence. A bell tolled 26 times in front of Edmond Town Hall. The moment of silence and bell tolling was held across the state on Friday, ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Cars stop on Main Street in Newtown during a nationwide moment of... Photo-3937827.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

Mourners exit the building after the funeral for six year-old Benjamin Andrew Wheeler at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown.

Mourners exit the building after the funeral for six year-old Benjamin Andrew Wheeler at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Mourners exit the building after the funeral for six year-old... Photo-3937824.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Candles burn at an expanding memorial near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Riverside Road near Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Candles burn at an expanding memorial near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Riverside Road near Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Candles burn at an expanding memorial near the intersection of... Photo-3937823.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, right, and First Selectman Patricia Llodra, second from right, lead a moment of silence as a bell tolls 26 times in front of Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. The moment of silence and bell tolling was held across the U.S. on Friday, December 21, 2012, the one week anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings. less

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, right, and First Selectman Patricia Llodra, second from right, lead a moment of silence as a bell tolls 26 times in front of Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. The moment of ... more

People, including Joe Saleem, center, observe a moment of silence led by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and First Selectman Patricia Llodra in front of Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. The moment of silence and bell tolling was held across the U.S. on Friday, December 21, 2012, the one week anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings. Saleem said he lived in Newtown for 54 years but moved to North Carolina. But after the violence that took 28 people, Saleem returned to his hometown. "I've had three sleepless nights," he said. less

People, including Joe Saleem, center, observe a moment of silence led by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and First Selectman Patricia Llodra in front of Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. ... more

A mourner kneels in front of a memorial on the road leading to the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Significant crowds came to Sandy Hook to pay respects to the people killed in last weeks shooting rampage.

A mourner kneels in front of a memorial on the road leading to the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Significant crowds came to Sandy Hook to pay respects to the people killed in last weeks shooting rampage.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A mourner kneels in front of a memorial on the road leading to the... Photo-3937831.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Newtown resident Veronica Marr sings a song about peace with other's during a evening peace march on Saturday, December 22, 2012 in Newtown. The group marched from Edmond Town Hall to Sandy Hook and the growing memorial for the children and teachers killed up the road at Sandy Hook Elementary School. less

Newtown resident Veronica Marr sings a song about peace with other's during a evening peace march on Saturday, December 22, 2012 in Newtown. The group marched from Edmond Town Hall to Sandy Hook and the ... more

Buddhist monks Shaw Karnsomtob, left, and Choke Smornrit pray along with Eddie Wongvravit at a growing memorial near the entrance to Sandy Hook Elementary School, nine days after 20 students and 6 teachers were killed at the school by a gunman. The Buddhists traveled from Mount Vernon, New York to offer the prayer. The memorial site is becoming a pilgrimage of sorts as it draws mourners from around the country. less

Buddhist monks Shaw Karnsomtob, left, and Choke Smornrit pray along with Eddie Wongvravit at a growing memorial near the entrance to Sandy Hook Elementary School, nine days after 20 students and 6 teachers were ... more

Mourners, including Leonardo Ortiz of West Haven, his daughter Sitlalli Ortiz and Olivia Lugo, walk up Riverside Road in what is becoming a pilgrimage for many to Sandy Hook Elementary School on Sunday, December 23, 2012, nine days after 20 students and 6 teachers were killed at the school by a gunman. less

Mourners, including Leonardo Ortiz of West Haven, his daughter Sitlalli Ortiz and Olivia Lugo, walk up Riverside Road in what is becoming a pilgrimage for many to Sandy Hook Elementary School on Sunday, ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Mourners, including Leonardo Ortiz of West Haven, his daughter... Photo-3937837.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Mourners gather at the memorial in Sandy Hook on Saturday, December 22, 2012.

Mourners gather at the memorial in Sandy Hook on Saturday, December 22, 2012.

People walk toward a growing memorial to 20 young students and six staff killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Significant crowds came to the small village in Newtown on Sunday, December 23, 2012, bringing gifts, toys and other items to place at the growing memorial. less

People walk toward a growing memorial to 20 young students and six staff killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Significant crowds came to the small village in Newtown on Sunday, December 23, 2012, bringing ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

People walk toward a growing memorial to 20 young students and six... Photo-3937843.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Santa Claus stops to say hi to Austin Rotonto, 6, of Stratford, and his family while visiting with children in Sandy Hook on Sunday, December 23, 2012, nine days after 28 people were killed during a day of horrific violence in Newtown. less

Santa Claus stops to say hi to Austin Rotonto, 6, of Stratford, and his family while visiting with children in Sandy Hook on Sunday, December 23, 2012, nine days after 28 people were killed during a day of ... more

Sandy Hook is busy as people make the pilgrimage to growing memorials where the mourners leave items, hug and cry.

Sandy Hook is busy as people make the pilgrimage to growing memorials where the mourners leave items, hug and cry.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Sandy Hook is busy as people make the pilgrimage to growing... Photo-3937846.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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A sign at the Newtown General Store offers candy for the children of Newtown on Saturday, December 22, 2012. Another sign in the business said all hot drinks were paid for by a donor from New York. The outpouring of support and gifts from around the world has been appreciated by thankful residents. less

A sign at the Newtown General Store offers candy for the children of Newtown on Saturday, December 22, 2012. Another sign in the business said all hot drinks were paid for by a donor from New York. The ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A sign at the Newtown General Store offers candy for the children... Photo-3937848.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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Newtown children gather in the back of the pickup carrying a piano —and a Mo the dog— on Sunday, December 23, 2012 in front of Newtown's Edmond Town Hall. Piano Man Danny Kean brought his traveling piano in the bed of a pickup to bring smiles to the people of Newtown. On Sunday the music worked as locals and children played the keys of his piano. less

Newtown children gather in the back of the pickup carrying a piano —and a Mo the dog— on Sunday, December 23, 2012 in front of Newtown's Edmond Town Hall. Piano Man Danny Kean brought his traveling piano in ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Newtown children gather in the back of the pickup carrying a piano... Photo-3941683.54302 - StamfordAdvocate

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The flag in the center of Newtown flies at full mast as seen from Old Castle Drive on Sunday, December 23, 2012, nine days after 28 people were killed during a day of violence in Newtown.

The flag in the center of Newtown flies at full mast as seen from Old Castle Drive on Sunday, December 23, 2012, nine days after 28 people were killed during a day of violence in Newtown.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

The flag in the center of Newtown flies at full mast as seen from... Photo-3937849.54302 - StamfordAdvocate